A Peachtree City man who collared a burglar he spotted in his garage several weeks ago was honored by the Peachtree City Police Department Thursday night.

At the City Council meeting, Police Chief James Murray gave Steven Mitchell a special commemorative coin that is only awarded for special circumstances and usually given only to police officers. Murray said the incident started when Mitchell went in his garage in the Coventry subdivision and “found a butt sticking out of his car.”

After Mitchell told his wife to call police, the suspect tried to run away when he heard approaching sirens. Mitchell gave chase and tackled the suspect, keeping him down until police arrived seconds later, Murray said.

Murray read a humorous account from Mitchell’s written statement that he gave police. After the suspect tried to bolt, Mitchell recalled tackling the suspect, pulling his arm behind his back like a “chicken wing” and holding the suspect down “cop style.”

Mitchell is no lightweight and based on his fit physical appearance it is likely the suspect underestimated him.

“If you ever need a job, come see me,” Murray said.

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